Ikebana and us

10th December 2019 13 members of the Study Group gathered at ABK AOTS Dosokai hall for our December meting and workshop. Some operational matters regarding our planned January exhibition at Cholamandal were initially discussed. Sensei Padma and Sensei Meenakshi then created freestyle compositions, to get our creative juices flowing for the new year! Sensei Padma began with a very Sogetsu shape of the harvest moon, in a bright red colour, quite suitable for the Christmas season. She used palm leaves, both under the vase as a base, as well as within the vase to emphasise the space, variegated dressina leaves with a lovely tinge of red to complement the vase, and the smaller strelitzia flowers. Sensei Padma's arrangement, with a beautiful display of artistic space. Sensei Meenakshi the began her interpretation, displaying her interesting moribana container which was black on the outside but with a brilliant blue inner surface.  She wished to display the in...

July 19th 2019 The NAAI or the National Abilympics Association of India organise an Annual State-wise competition of different skill for people with special abilities.  This time one of the events was a floral art competition, and our senseis Meenakshi and Trishala were asked to coordinate the event, which was not strictly an Ikebana event, but celebrated the joy of flowers and the world of specially abled people. The contestants were from all corners of the state of Tamil Nadu, and were given container, floral foam, flowers and greens.  They had to arrange the given material in the way they understood best.   The group had varied disabilities, ranging from physical disabilities to being intellectually challenged. Sensei Meenakshi recounts, "They did the given task very diligently often asking questions in the mode they could. In a few hours Trishala and me became proficient at sign language too. It was very inspiring for us to work with all of ...

November 23rd 2019 Like children off to a picnic, the members of the study group set off for Injambakkam to soak in the beauty of our member Mala's garden.  We had our fingers crossed as the weather had been inclement, and even on the morning of the 23rd, there was a sharp downpour. Mala messaged the group that her garden was a "soggy mess"!  But, just as sensei Malathi had predicted, "I think you will be blessed by a good day, Mala", it turned out to be a lovely cloudy and cool evening that only 8 members could enjoy, sadly.   The pictures below are courtesy of Bhuvana, Sathya and Ambika.  In the words of Sathya, "Everywhere you turn there's something to photograph... I couldn't take them all because I was also thrilled and excited didn't know where to start n what to take 🤣🤩 sharing few of the good ones/my favorites." A view of the central lawn, ringed by plants, tended with loving care. Mala is also a bonsai artis...

19th October 2019 Twelve member of the Study Group got together for the October meeting, demonstration and workshop. Initially, there was much cheering and clapping as Bhuvana and Chitra Rajan were awarded their first and second grade certificates. Then it was time for the demonstrations by our two senseis - Molly and Divya. Sensei Molly did her first composition  in a large bell metal kadai - this is a cooking utensil of olden times.  The kadai was used as a container. Two Coconut fronds - cleaned, sanded and painted orange mixed with gold dust inside.  Kept erect as curved lines. For Massed Expression, she then used hydrangea flowers. The arrangement was completed, with with silver Oak leaves, that added depth. Sensei Molly - Metal kadai container, with painted coconut frond, hydrangea and silver oak leaves. Sensei Divya began with a more horizontal composition.  She used jasmine vine in a wooden container , the chrysanthemums and ra...